h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Looks like no-one round here has the confidence to start posting

Polar bears and low self esteem? Well look at the humble domestic cat and dog: some are timid, nervous and easily cowed. Others are confident to the point of pathological self-imperilment. As with humans so much of it can be traced back to perevious experiences, and as with humans, it can often be cured, with love, and trust and courage

By using positive affirmations like "optimism and brightness", "all is well in my World" and generally being positive

A good psychcologist can also be very very very helpful in helping overcome issues that have held you back. I wouldn't trade mine for all the world. I am so much more confident after working with him. And I've stopped doing a lot of things that made my confidence worse instead of better.
Knowing people give a damn about what I say has made a big difference.

I've always considered self-confidence to be like riding a bike. You can read up on the theory for ever, but one day you're gonna have to get on the saddle and start peddling. True you may come off and graze your knee but it'll be easier next time.
Same for an area of your life you lack confidence with, repeated experience will overcome your fears, even if you do suffer setbacks along the way.

I agree with Pie Shifter in a way.
I used to have incredibly low self-confidence, but one day a few years back I just thought, 'Is this how I want to be?'

Voila, it didnt happen overnight, but now Im always chatting away to strangers and at work Im always chosen as the spokesperson. Basically I've gone far into the opposite direction.

But then, I've always had that oddity that I can change facets of myself. Dont ask why, if I decide on doing something mentally, and I have to really want it, but it happens.